2.12 The Bureaucracy

• What are the key characteristics of the bureaucracy?

  Specialization, hierarchy, rules, professionalism
• Specialization in the bureaucracy means individuals are assigned specific tasks
• What does hierarchy in the bureaucracy ensure?

  Clear levels of authority
• Formal rules in the bureaucracy ensure standardized procedures.
• What are the primary responsibilities of the bureaucracy?

  Implementation, regulation, adjudication
• Match the bureaucratic role with its example:

  Implementation ↔️ Social Security payments

  Regulation ↔️ EPA rules on pollution

  Adjudication ↔️ EEOC workplace cases
• Executing laws and policies is an example of the bureaucracy's role in implementation
• What are the main types of organizations in the bureaucracy?

  Departments, agencies, corporations, commissions
• Cabinet departments are headed by secretaries appointed by the President.
• Independent agencies operate outside the cabinet and oversee specific functions
• What type of bureaucratic structure provides goods or services not profitable for private companies?

  Government corporations
• Rank the mechanisms for controlling the bureaucracy in terms of their primary focus:

  1️⃣ Presidential Oversight

  2️⃣ Congressional Oversight

  3️⃣ Judicial Review
• Congressional oversight includes monitoring agency budgets and performance.
• Excessive paperwork and regulations in the bureaucracy are referred to as red tape.
• What is one example of a bureaucratic reform aimed at improving efficiency?

  Streamlining processes
• What is the primary function of the bureaucracy?

  Execute and enforce policies
• Specialization in the bureaucracy refers to the division of labor with assigned tasks
• Hierarchy in the bureaucracy refers to levels of authority and responsibility.
• What are formal rules in the bureaucracy?

  Standardized procedures
• The characteristics of the bureaucracy enable it to effectively implement and manage laws
• Arrange the roles of the bureaucracy in a logical sequence:

  1️⃣ Implementation

  2️⃣ Regulation

  3️⃣ Adjudication
• Match the bureaucratic role with its responsibility:

  Implementation ↔️ Executing laws and policies

  Regulation ↔️ Setting industry standards

  Adjudication ↔️ Resolving disputes between parties
• What is the role of Cabinet Departments in the bureaucracy?

  Oversee major areas
• Independent agencies in the bureaucracy manage specific government functions
• Government corporations in the bureaucracy provide essential services.
• Which regulatory commission regulates specific industries in the bureaucracy?

  FCC
• Presidential oversight, Congressional oversight, and judicial review are mechanisms to control the bureaucracy
• What is an example of Presidential oversight in the bureaucracy?

  Executive orders
• Congressional oversight includes monitoring agency budgets and enacting legislation.
• One challenge of the bureaucracy is inefficiency due to slow decision-making
• What does inflexibility in the bureaucracy refer to?

  Resistance to change
• Streamlining processes is a reform aimed at saving time and resources in the bureaucracy.